Tempo Time Credits were introduced in Medway in February 2017 as part of Involving Medway, an initiative commissioned by Medway CCG (Medway Clinical Commissioning Group), now Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group. Involving Medway was established to explore effective ways of engaging local community-based groups and residents, in order to promote better health and wellbeing and to help transform local services. It was directly inspired by the Five Year Forward View, which set a new course for health policy.
It recognised an urgent need for radical innovation in the health and social care system to avoid catastrophic failure and called for the NHS to get serious about prevention, empowering patients to engage in communities and build a social movement for health and care. By working with Tempo Time Credits, Involving Medway aims to create volunteering opportunities across Medway and recognise the contribution that the volunteers in the area make.
Over 730 people have given more than 18,900 hours to their community since the programme started. 72% of people earning Tempo Time Credits in Medway reported improved quality of life, and 52% said they felt more able to contribute to their community and other people as a result of the programme.
In 2018, the Involving Medway initiative was named a finalist in the Community or Primary Care Services Redesign category of the Health Service Journal (HSJ) Awards. The award recognises how healthcare providers have successfully made changes to the delivery of services, paying particular attention to increased collaborative working.
“Being named a finalist is recognition of the impact of Tempo Time Credits”, then Tempo CEO Ian Merrill said. “Our work in healthcare is an important part of what we do, supporting our overall aim to build opportunities for everyone to get involved in their community, regardless of abilities or life circumstances.”
